Chikungunya, a paradigm of neglected tropical disease that emerged to be a new health global risk

J Clin Virol. 2015 Mar:64:144-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.08.032. Epub 2014 Oct 22.

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus of the Togaviridae family that causes chronic and incapacitating arthralgia in human populations. Since its discovery in 1952, CHIKV was responsible for sporadic and infrequent outbreaks. However, since 2005, global Chikungunya outbreaks have occurred, inducing some fatalities and associated with severe and chronic morbidity. Chikungunya is thus considered as an important re-emerging public health problem in both tropical and temperate countries, where the distribution of the Aedes mosquito vectors continues to expand. This review highlights the most recent advances in our knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology, biology, treatment and vaccination strategies of CHIKV.

Keywords: Chikungunya.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / virology*
  • Africa / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Asia / epidemiology
  • Chikungunya Fever* / diagnosis
  • Chikungunya Fever* / epidemiology
  • Chikungunya Fever* / immunology
  • Chikungunya Fever* / therapy
  • Chikungunya virus / genetics
  • Chikungunya virus / pathogenicity
  • Chikungunya virus / physiology*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / virology
  • Neglected Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Neglected Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Neglected Diseases* / immunology
  • Neglected Diseases* / therapy
  • Vaccination
  • Viral Vaccines

Substances

  • Viral Vaccines